Open Culture Begins NYC Live Outdoor Performances in March

Starting in March, New York City's long-promised Open Culture program will open more than 100 traffic-free streets to performing arts events. The program will permit and promote outdoor music, dance, theater, opera, comedy, puppetry and other performances on designated streets and other open spaces.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city's Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals formally introduced Open Culture at an outdoor press conference on February 8. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who introduced and co-sponsored the Open Culture bill as the chair of the New York City Council's Cultural Affairs & Libraries Committee, also spoke at the press conference.

"Arts, culture, and live events are the heart of New York City. Today, we’re bringing them back," said de Blasio. "From Open Streets, to Open Restaurants, to Open Culture, New York City has found creative and sustainable ways to connect New Yorkers to their neighborhoods while staying safe from COVID-19. I’m honored to support the cultural institutions who make our city great, and I can’t wait to see our creative community in action."

"Open Culture is going to streamline the application process, allow arts groups, both for-profit and non-profit, to get easily obtainable permits to perform live on the streets of all five boroughs of New York City, democratizing the arts in a way that we've never experienced before in our city," Van Bramer added. "They're going to be able to ticket [through] online ticketing and charge for performances, which will allow a source of revenue to be had by cultural organizations and allow our artists to be paid."

Not waiting for the city government's proposal, the Theater for the New City has been bringing its Open 'Tho Shut variety shows to the streets. Pictured above, Amy Coleman sang standards accompanied by Peter Dizozza on February 6

The Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management will review applications and expedite permits on a first-come, first-serve basis. Selected cultural organizations and community groups can apply beginning on March 1. Unaffiliated individuals or groups who would like a permit should partner with a local cultural organization or community group. Applicants will pay a $20 fee for single-day permits. Interested applicants will also be required to submit a COVID-19 Safety Affirmation Plan.

Open Culture will continue until October 31, 2021, with the possibility of extension until March 31, 2022. All approved events will be limited to a maximum of 12 hours. Set up and breakdown must occur within the allotted time frame. Events using amplified sound can begin at 9 a.m. and end by 10 p.m.

The Open Culture guidelines can be accessed on the website of the Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cecm/cultural-events/guidelines.page.

Crystal Field is the mistress of ceremonies for the Open 'The Shut shows every Saturday afternoon outside the Theater for the New City

Van Bramer introduced and co-sponsored the Open Culture bill in August 2020. The councilman modeled Open Culture on the city's pandemic-era Open Streets and Open Restaurants initiatives. The City Council voted unanimously in favor of Open Culture on December 10.

In January 2021, the New York City Department of Transportation designated more than 100 short roadway sections as Open Culture street locations. The list has come under the scrutiny of cultural organizations and community groups, who have noted that only 10 of the Open Culture locations are on existing Open Streets. Some organizations have complained that many of the assigned roadways do not connect with cultural institutions.

Several downtown streets already are listed for potential Open Culture use. These include Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets; Suffolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets; East Third Street between Avenues A and B; East 11th Street between Second and Third Avenues; Little Sixth Avenue between Broome and Spring Streets; Dominick Street between Sixth Avenue and Varick Street, which is an existing Open Street location; and King Street between Hudson and Greenwich Streets, which is also an existing Open Street location.

Natasha Velez and Justin Rodriguez performed a skit and sang a duet at the Open 'Tho Shut program at the Theater for the New City on February 6